Laminate flooring is an inexpensive and easy-to-install floor covering. Over tiles or a concrete screed, this type of flooring should be installed on an underlay. And this, in any room of your home. Generally, laminate flooring can be installed in different ways. Depending on the type of model and the nature of its support, you have several installation techniques available. You can also choose the direction of installation of your flooring and the pattern you wish to obtain. The question remains how to proceed properly. In this article, we offer you a small guide to help you with the installation of laminate flooring. Follow us for more details.
Laminate flooring: what is it?
First of all, let’s focus on what laminate flooring really is. It’s a false floor, more precisely an image glued to a support of varying thickness. Laminate flooring therefore features a parquet pattern, but the floor in question is not made of wood. It’s so to speak a flooring that is very easy to install in addition to being inexpensive.
Also called floating floor, laminate flooring is a parquet designed using four well-defined layers. We can mention the base layer, the core in fiberboard, the decorative layer and the protective layer. This type of flooring is generally made from melamine or HDF fiberboard, which makes it especially durable. It also has a finish imitating different materials such as wood, concrete, natural stone and ceramic. The reason why laminate flooring can easily match all decorative styles.
The conditions for installing laminate flooring
Just like large-scale work in your home, there are certain procedures to follow to successfully carry out your project. As its name suggests, a floating installation consists of leaving the flooring detached from the support on which it rests. A floating floor then allows you to work freely in addition to avoiding the use of glue or nails during installation.
Most home supports can accommodate laminate flooring. You can therefore install it on tiles, an old wooden floor or even on a concrete screed. However, it is important that the subfloor is sufficiently straight and stable to be able to make a quality installation. The use of an underlay is also highly recommended, both to ensure better flatness, good insulation and to preserve the floating floor. And of course, the support on which the latter will be placed must be of high quality and resistance.
The tools needed to install laminate flooring
For the installation of a floating floor, you will need to prepare some tools. The tapping block is the first piece of equipment you will need, it will prevent you from damaging the flooring throughout the installation. Then a mallet to tap on the tapping block and a pull bar to facilitate the interlocking of the boards. You will also need expansion spacers to insert between the flooring and your walls or other obstacles to maintain a constant gap, while supporting the subsequent expansion of the flooring. Note that if they are beveled, the spacers can easily be raised at the end of the installation and a gap of 7 to 8 mm is on average correct for a successful installation.
Essential tools for cutting and measuring
You will first need a jigsaw for cutting around obstacles. For this, there are blades with inverted teeth to prevent splinters on the facing of your boards. Or you can simply choose to cut them upside down. A guillotine will also be useful for large surfaces. This is a very practical tool for cutting your boards precisely and without a trace of dust. A square and a sliding bevel also extend the list of tools necessary for the installation of your laminate flooring to accurately trace your cuts. Not to mention the meter and fine pencil for taking measurements and accurate tracing of cuts.
Protective equipment for more safety
Since installing laminate flooring is not a project to be taken lightly, it’s important to be well-equipped before proceeding. Depending on your work situation, you should have some equipment. Namely, a respiratory protection mask and protective gloves. Safety goggles will also be useful, as well as hearing protection and some work clothes.
The right techniques to adopt for laying laminate flooring
Installing laminate flooring is generally done in several steps.
Installation of the polyethylene film and underlay
For this first step, you need to lay polyethylene film or sheeting before the underlay. The fact is that when installing a floating floor on a concrete screed or a floating floor, it is essential to lay a polyethylene film. Normally, this should be installed before the concrete is poured to avoid any form of expansion of the flooring due to temperature variations or humidity levels. To do this, you need to install a bed of about 15 to 20 centimeters of aggregate that will form the first part of your decoupling layer. Also, to ensure good waterproofing, it would be ideal to make sure that the film comes up along your walls. In any case, this is a step that should be carried out by the concrete finisher and not by the flooring installer for efficiency reasons.
Once this is done, you now need to lay the underlay, also called floor membrane, under the floating floor. This is a step that should not be neglected as it will ensure the ease of subsequent installation of the laminate flooring in addition to providing good thermal and acoustic insulation. Note that to proceed correctly, it is imperative to follow the recommendations for laying the underlay. First, the direction of laying, preferably perpendicular to the floorboards, then the overlap, and finally the jointing with waterproof tape. Small tip: don’t rush to lay the underlay, avoid creases and handle it with care.
Consider the squaring and direction of laying the laminate flooring
A good start is essential for the flooring to offer a harmonious visual result and for easy installation. The direction of the planks mainly follows the direction of light in the room, so they will be perpendicular to the wall with multiple windows. In the case of a hallway, it is appropriate to place the planks parallel to its length. However, for a classic room, the simplest approach is to start at the junction of two walls that form a right angle, ensuring a straight and secure installation.
Once you have defined the direction of laying your laminate flooring, continue by checking the squareness of your room. If your room has an unfavorable angle, make sure you are equipped with a chalk line to draw a straight line on the floor, perpendicular to one of your walls. Your flooring will thus be placed optimally.
Laying the first floorboards
For this step, you should start by placing expansion spacers. To do this, equip yourself with the first plank and transfer the angle given by the walls with a bevel square. Then, cut and place it on the underlay, inserting the expansion spacers along the length and width of the plank.
Then assemble the planks one by one, taking into account the technique recommended by the manufacturer. Also, check that there is no play at the plank joints. Using a spacer and a mallet, tap lightly on the plank to bring them close together. Don’t forget the expansion spacers along this first row. When you reach the end of the row, measure the length of the last plank, deducting the 0.7 mm expansion gap. Continue by cutting and inserting the plank against the wall. Then use the cut-off piece to start a new row and repeat the laying technique mentioned above.
Cutting rounded shapes in the flooring at door frames
Transfer the exact cutouts onto the planks, including the expansion space. The final result will be more aesthetically pleasing depending on your ability to handle the jigsaw and take measurements. For door frames, you have two options: either cut the frames to the thickness of the plank so you can insert it underneath, or cut the plank to the desired shape and fill the unsightly gap with a joint of the same color.
Install the laminate flooring finishes
For this final step, remove the expansion spacers, cut off the excess polyane and underlay. Then, install the baseboards or finishing strips. These can generally be nailed, screwed, glued, or clipped on. Their installation method is specific to their type. Finish by installing the threshold bar and the finishing joint, which will serve to hide any cutting errors or areas impossible to cover with the flooring. Just be careful to choose the shade closest to your laminate flooring, and you’re done.
